Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-12-31

"ASAS S~AN AA - A4oAAAS
writer had lived in this age of advertise
ments he would no doubt have realized
that there is a very great deal in a name.
The race for dollars and cents can never
completely eradicate sentiment from the
human breast. Nor Mpuld it be desir-
able to have it eradicated, even If it were
possible. Recognizing the existence and
power of sentiment, az we'll as the beau
ty, utility and importance Of the North
Dakota lake, tho influence of the press
could speedily bring about = change of
name. Let the intelligent and energetic
editors of the INTER-OcEAN and News
agree upon a substitute for "Devils"
among the big heads of their respective
and the desired change of
name Of the lake will soon become an
accomplished fact. Without doubt this
lake is much smaller now than 1t was
formerly. Abundant and convincing
evidence of this is found in the presence
of several old shore lines, and since the
settlement of the contiguous district by
white people the lake has been observed
to recedo, but of course it's sinking ORE
cesslon has not been rapid. Here the
or%nithologist may find room for tho study
of the eagle, tho gull, pelican, black cor
morant, the genuine turkey buzzard and
hosts Of other birds that haunt the woods
and waters. Here. too, the student of
geology may find much material that IS
The countless boulders OF
granite, seyenits, gnoiss, h%ornblende,
limestone, quartzito and other rock mat
tors, piled up into heaps or scattered
about the shores and upon the lake bot
tom, are SO manY memorials ofthe great
ice ago Tor agos) of tho past. GLACIAL
STRIFE and burrows arc plentiful; some
Of tho most perfectly polished surfaces
that can be found anywhere occur in this
locality. Apart from tho history of the
wanderings Of theso rock fragments,
many of which are gigantic in size, there
Is great interest attached to the study of
their internal structure and composition.
For class Vol and laboratory instruc-
ton and for deposit In tho museum of
tho University Of North Dakota, I have
made a collection Of many kinds Of them;
but. to any traveller through Devils Lake
there is presented an admirable
opportunity for observing the varied
structure and composition of these gla-
cial boulders in the walls OF the pretty
Episcopalian odifico, whore, in building
the temple, granite, quartzite, red Jasper,
garnets, yellow pyrltes, s~ilvor-oolofed
molybdonito and other varietlcs have
boon employed. The walls are now frosh,
the stones are large, and to tho discern
ing geoloyist q walk around tho church
building would DO o sdifying than q
visit to some public museums.
In deciding to visit this portion Of Da-
kota, my main objects wore to study gla.
cial geology and make a useful collection
OF rocks and natural history specimens
for tho university. But I had not been
long in tho place until my attention be-
came directed, through Editor Hans
brough, to the finding Of q few human
bones near the margin Of the lake. On
investigation, it very soon bscame owl
dent that I had wended my way to an
elevated and wide tract of country, which
ages previous to our time, had
formed the dwelling place OF another
race OF human boings, and which yet
contained many Of tho bones, the nipple
ments and trinkcts Of this same people.
From day to day the evidence accumu-
lated until I found the work Of excava-
ton and exploration far too great t 0 be
completed within a period ofsix or sevon
weeks-the only time at my disposal.
Thus was opened up another branch of
geology, which, in some OF its phases,
reaches out and touches the sciences OF
archaeology and history. That srchaol-
ogy has of late years been greatly aided
by the researches Of biologists and his
torians there can DO no doubt. Indeed,
it may be said that archaeology is but the
'bordcr-land of geology and elstory,
where these two sciences meet. Assur-
eddy, for accurate and intelligent inves-
legations in archaeology. ono cannot pos
sess too great OF too practical 8 knowl-
edge OF geology and its allied sciences,
chemistry, comparative anatomy and
botany. The stone, bono, shell, tooth
and bark implements or ornaments, or
fragments OF them, are each and all to
be examined aud studied as to their ma
lure and source. Tho skull and other
bones OF tho hul:;an body have likewise
10 DO understood, and so have the plants
and soils in the localities in question.
The study Of the Stone Age Of the most
highly developed species Of mammal is
exceedingly fascinating, and from its
vast scope, its breadth and depth, it is
calculated to furnish tho mind with suit
able material for profound reflection. No
wonder, then, that my hours from ''early
morn till dewy eve" were full of interest
to me, and that, for tho time being, I lost
sight of everything save tho singular
structures known as the mounds Of the
ancient mound builders. 10 attempt
even q brief description of the twenty
II mounds which I %excavated, and the
others which I surveyed, noting their
form, relative position, structure and
contents, would require much more
space than that allotted in your columns.
Therefore I am obliged to leave for flu
turc publication tho exact measurement
of these mounds and an OF tho
skeletons, pipes, baskets, spoons, but
tons, urns, knives, images. car rings,
spear heads, axes, arrow points, shells,
ornamented bones and stones, fish, bird
n mammalian romans, charcoal, wood
n other relics ofa people who, in all
prObabilitY. from 500 to 1lQQ xaars ano